[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF WWII USMC VETERAN WILLIAM PAUL GOSCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 2023

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor World War 
II Marine Corps veteran William P. Gosch as he celebrates his 100th 
birthday which is December 8th.
  William P. Gosch was born in North Tonawanda, New York, on December 
8th, 1923. While attending North Tonawanda High School, he showed 
academic prowess, earning a football scholarship to attend Niagara 
University. After graduating from high school in the Fall of 1941, 
William chose to forgo his scholarship and joined the Marine Corps. For 
two years, he served as a rifleman and military policeman in the 
infamous ``Carlson's Raiders'' in the Eastern Pacific Theatre of World 
War II.
  William Gosch was an exemplary soldier. His unit was awarded a 
presidential citation for their heroism in capturing the Okinawa 
Prefecture, Japan. During his time as a Marine, he participated in 
action in Bougainville, Emirau Island, the St. Matthias Islands, Guam, 
and Okinawa. Following the Allied victory in World War II, William 
Gosch worked as a general manager in the Richardson Boat Company before 
spending time working in the costume jewelry business in Honolulu. 
After returning to Buffalo and settling down, his opportunity to 
dedicate more to the Buffalo community came in 2020 when he was 
instated as the temporary replacement for the 2nd Ward Alderwoman. 
Following this, William received the rare opportunity to collaborate 
with YouTube documentarian Rishi Sharma, where he promoted awareness of 
the remaining World War II veterans to an audience of over one million 
people.
  Today, I want to congratulate William on his 100th birthday and 
express my deep gratitude to William Paul Gosch for his service to our 
country and the Buffalo community. As William said in 2020, ``Buffalo 
is the greatest city in the world.'' it is a great city because of 
dedicated individuals such as William Paul Gosch.

                          ____________________